The Fall Experimental Football League (FXFL), which hopes to become the NFL’s developmental league, begins play in a month in four cities around the country.

“Without a doubt, we will kick off our first week of games Wednesday, October 8,” league founder and commissioner Brian Woods said.

The entire schedule is expected to be released as soon as Sept. 8, but Woods did confirm the opening week matchups.

On Oct. 8, the Omaha Mammoths will host the Boston Brawlers, while the Brooklyn Bolts visit the Florida Blacktips.

There’s no doubt the quality of play will be very high. Every player that has currently committed to the FXFL either has been in an NFL training camp or has actual NFL playing experience.

We’re a minor league model, but we’re a major league product,” Woods said. “What you’ll see on the field is NFL caliber. The on-field product is going to be exceptional. These are the best young players coming from the NFL.”

The expectation is that all players in the FXFL will be no more than 2-3 years removed from college, although Woods acknowledged the quarterback position is one the league might reach back a little farther.

The FXFL doesn’t currently have a relationship with the NFL, but the door is open for FXFL players to easily jump to the NFL right away.

“Our contract is structured in such a way that there’s maximum flexibility,” Woods stated. “If a player comes to us and the New York Jets come calling a day later, he’s going right to the Jets immediately, even if it’s just for a workout or a physical.

We’re really trying to work in a symbiotic relationship with the NFL even though we don’t have a formal agreement with them in place right now. We definitely want to show them that we want to work with them and I think we’ve got a model that makes sense.”

FXFL fans will have the opportunity to see live quality football at an affordable price. The median ticket price is hovering in the $25-30 range with thousands of tickets available in the $10-15 range.

Kids will also be able to feel like they’re part of the action.

“We’re planning on having postgame autograph sessions, getting the kids down on the field, letting some of our players throw passes to them – anything we can do to make the experience engage the local fan base in a more intimate fashion, we’re going to explore that opportunity,” Woods said.